tudes. It has restored them to their right mind; it has clothed them, and disposed them to sit down to receive instruction.

A fourth consideration why the friends of religion should be the warm and decided friends of the temperance cause is, that that cause has done much to purify the ranks of the church itself, and is destined yet to do much more. No one can be ignorant of the fact, that in this respect the churches in this land are in quite a different state from what they were twenty-five years ago, and that in the habits of members and ministers there have been great and salutary changes. In our own age nothing has occurred that has contributed more to the purity of the church than the temperance reformation; and were no other results to follow from it, it would be worth all the effort which has been made, and all the money which has been expended, to have secured this result alone.

There may be difference of opinion on the question whether the use of wine is forbidden in the sacred Scriptures,-whether the wines of Palestine were or were not fermented,-whether as a common beverage they were or were not attended with danger,-and whether the wine which the Saviour made at Cana, and that of which he commonly partook, had the common properties of the fermented juice of the grape,and whether to abstain from the use of wine be a mere matter of expediency, or be a matter of moral obligation. Let these continue to be topics of friendly discussion. Let travellers make further reports. Let the language of the Scriptures be further investigated. Let books be written, and speeches made, and sermons preached, and ancient customs be more fully investigated. But in the mean time, assuredly Christians may agree on such points as the following, and such agreement will practically settle the question. I mean that the use of wine as a beverage is nowhere enjoined in the Scripture, or made a test of discipleship, or a part of the duty of religion; that no injury will occur by total abstinence; that the wines of Palestine, whether fermented or unfermented, were materially unlike the manufactured wines of this country; that these wines are in general a miserable compound of deleterious articles, sustaining no more relation to the vine than any other of the drinks that intoxicate; that they possess the intoxicating quality in a high degree, and that the intoxicating quality is the same as in any other liquor that produces this effect, and is, like that, alcohol; that the use of wine by professing Christians, and by ministers of the gospel, is highly injurious by example, and is that to which men constantly appeal to keep themselves in countenance; that in fact the principal danger among the young men of our cities and towns, and especially among those who claim

to be of the higher classes, is from the use of what is called wine-and that, as a consequence of that use, sustained as they are to some extent by the example of professing Christians, multitudes of them are on their way to the grave of the drunkard. Under circumstances like these, and with admitted facts like these, is it well, is it expedient, for the friends of religion to advocate their use, or to patronize it by their example? Let them have their own views about the reasons for abstaining-whether from expediency, or from the conviction of right and of conscience-yet in the thing itself may there not be, and should there not be, harmony of action? and are not those who love the Saviour bound to set their faces against any form of an evil which, in days that are past, has robbed the church of many who might have lived to bless it by their talents and piety; which, every year, has consigned its tens of thousands to the grave; which has filled our prisons and almshouses with convicts and paupers, and which more than anything else has spread poverty, and woe, and mourning over the land? What should a Christian have to do with customs which, by any possibility, can lead

to such results?

I add only one other consideration to the friends of temperance. It is, that the God of providence and of the Bible is the advocate and the friend of this cause. He who rules the world by his power, and who has given laws for the government of mankind in his word, frowns on intemperance, alike in the poverty, and woe, and sorrow, which he sends as his messengers of vengeance here, and in his denunciations of wrath in the world to come. The most stern and uncompromising friend of temperance may take shelter under the protection of the God of the Bible and of providence, and may feel assured that, while he presses his principles to the extent of entire abstinence from all that intoxicates, he is counteracting none of the precepts of the Bible, but is carrying them out, and illustrating them in his life. On this common field, then, this vast, this glorious field, let the friends of religion and of temperance act in concert. The friend of religion has the deepest interest in the triumphs of this cause, and has nothing to dread from it. The friend of temperance has had the most firm and eloquent advocates of his principles among the friends of religion, and will find them efficient advocates still. Both, when they act in this cause, are acting in accordance with the great laws of the God of nature and of grace, and may feel that in doing this they are doing that which tends to the honour of God, and the welfare of men; and both may feel that, so far from being discordant in any way, the friends of religion and temperance should be united in the promotion of this common cause this great and glorious enterprise.

An Authorized Report on the State of Religion in the United States, published in the "Congregational Magazine."

To a public journalist reputation is everything. It is not enough that he be gene

rally veracious, he must be conscientiously accurate. A gross mistake may have all the effect of a studied lie. We can, therefore, endure or despise everything but charges, direct or implied, from respectable quarters, of untruth or of in

accuracy, and hence our descending, on the present occasion, to notice an article in the last Number of the Congregational Magazine, entitled "An authorized Report on the State of Religion in the United States, in reply to the CHRISTIAN WITNESS;" and designated by the Editor of that Journal, a "very important document." Of that importance our readers shall judge. The facts are these: the CHRISTIAN WITNESS for April, testified to certain matters relative to the "State of Religion in America." The Rev. Robert Philip, of Kingsland, having casually seen that article in proof, it seems, sat down on the 24th of March, and wrote to the Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia, setting forth from memory the general impression of the said testimony. Mr. Barnes, verifying the Divine aphorism that "great men are not always wise," laid the letter before his Presbytery, who, without waiting for the appearance of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, perused it with "deep surprise," deeming the account such as no "intelligent and candid man acquainted with their churches could have given." Had the Presbytery waited only a few days till the WITNESS appeared, they would have seen that their task would consist not in a "reply to the CHRISTIAN WITNESS," but to the chief literary organs of their own religious communities! Under the general head, "State of Religion in America," we published four articles, three of which were literal reprints, without either note or comment! The worthy Presbytery seem never to have heard of any such documents, although they had been diffused throughout the length and breadth of the American continent! Yet they say, "Occupying, as we do, a central position, and having opportunities for extensive observation, we should hope that our testimony on the point to which you have referred, might be entitled to some weight in regard to the state of religion of our country." Our brethren need not be reminded that "position," and "opportunity" alone are not enough. It is to little purpose that the watchman Occupy the tower, unless his eyes be open. The darkest place in the room is around the base of the candlestick. Suppose a New York Editor, to receive monthly all the chief denominational Periodicals, both of England and Scotland, would not such a man possess an acquaintance with the religion of those nations so general, so particular, so thorough and so complete as could be

boasted by few men even in Great Britain. Such, precisely, is our "position" with regard to the United States; and under these circumstances, 66 we should hope that our testimony may be entitled to some weight" with the people of England. With all our respect for the Presbytery aforesaid—and great, indeed, is and must our respect be for any body of men that includes Albert Barnes-we cannot place the "testimony" of a little company of quiet pastors confined to a small locality of a huge continent, on a level with the Editorial Corps of the United States, dispersed over the whole of that immense commonwealth, occupying all the chief points of observation, and in communication not only with each other, but with the ruling spirits of the age, and conversant with the mass of the facts, which are to constitute its history,—a corps formed of the ablest, best, and most accomplished men that the several sections of the church of Christ in those lands can supply. Well, three of the articles in question, as we have said, being mere reprints from the chief American Journals, our concern, of course, is limited to the fourth, which occupies the first place in the WITNESS; and here, the whole of the statements consist of seven extracts from the said Journals. Of our own knowledge we know nothing, and have said nothing. If the knowledge of the Presbytery is such as they would have us believe, why did they not, from time to time, correct, refute, and silence these their own Journals? But in this very reply three-fourths of the facts are untouched,- necessarily untouched, -because the writers, being almost entirely in the dark, really knew not the points they had to meet. They moreover unwittingly concede some of the principal matters alleged. They confess that "Divine influence is withheld;" that the wreck of ministerial character "has been unusually frequent within a few years past;' but they strain hard to defend revival men and revival measures. This, indeed, is a main object of the document, which, therefore, is so far no reply at all to the CHRISTIAN WITNESS. On one point, however, and that the great one, after all, they are explicit, and in effect flatly contradict the American authorities set forth in the CHRISTIAN WITNESS. The latter affirm that religion was, upon the whole, at a stand, and in many places actually declining. The replicant Presbytery in the Congregational Magazine, (page 693,) on the contrary,

say, "So far as we can judge, the cause of Evangelical religion is STEADILY ADVANCING IN OUR COUNTRY," and in support of this they allege the following proofs, which are both remote and equiVocal:

1. "Infidelity meets with much less favour than it did some years ago."-2. "The tone of the public press indicates the same thing.”—3. "Every great cause of Christian benevolence is receiving augmented favour from the people every year."-4. "This is particularly to be noticed in regard to the cause of the sabbath."

To these statements they add, "that at no period in the history of the United States has there been so much, in the state of religion, in these respects, to encourage the hearts of those who love the Redeemer's cause,' (page 695.) Strange affirmation! This language, while it is precise and intelligible, contains the gist of the whole question; and on the proposition here enunciated we at once join issue with the Presbytery. Passing over the Great Convention of Presbyterians and Independents lately held, and at which much was stated which but ill comported with this proposition, we shall rest satisfied with an appeal to a somewhat minor but still a vast Assembly, viz., the General Association of Massachusetts, the best spot in America for testing the question, which met at Westminster, on Tuesday, the 24th of June last. This body comprised the following associations; Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampshire East, Hampden West, Franklin, Brookfield, Harmony, Hampden East, Worcester Central, Ditto North, Mendon, Middlesex Union, Ditto South, Woburn, Andover, Essex North, Ditto South, Suffolk North, Ditto South, Norfolk, Taunton, Old Colony, Vineyard Sound, Brewster, Pilgrim, Massachusetts, Home Missionary Society. To these were added delegates from foreign bodies, viz.:-General Association of Connecticut-General Conference of MaineVermont General Convention - New Hampshire General Association-Congregational Union of East CanadaGeneral Association of New York-General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of United States-General Association of Michigan. To these are to be added, honorary members; delegates to the last General Association of New Hampshire, and to the last General Association of New York.

This great body, having been regularly constituted, commenced on the afternoon

Hampden East.-All the churches in this district are supplied with settled pastors. No revivals, yet several churches have received additions.

"Franklin.- Embraces twenty-five churches, eleven of which are aided by the Home Missionary Society. No revivals; only fourteen conversions in all. Brookfield.-No revivals, and but few additions. The whole number of members is less than it was last year.

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"Worcester Central.-Embraces eighteen pastors, nineteen churches, 4,253 members. The removals of church members exceed the additions by fifty-six persons.

"Worcester North.-Embraces eleven churches, nine of which have pastors. Not a single revival. The word has been preached, yet the cords of Zion are not lengthened.

"Mendon.-No revivals. To all the churches except one, additions have been made, yet the increase on the whole is small.

"Middlesex South.-No revivals. In most of the churches individual cases of hopeful conversion have occurred. The removals of church members, in various ways, exceeds the additions by almost one-third.

"Essex South.-Embraces twenty-five churches, 5,000 members. There have been a few conversions, but no revivals. The additions to the churches have been 158; removals, 159; decrease, 1.

Norfolk. -Embraces twenty-three churches; additions, 80; removals, 92. "Taunton. Embraces eighteen churches; 3,077 in the sabbath-schools. No revivals, and but few conversions. "Old Colony. Embraces thirteen churches, fifteen ministers, 1,751 members. Additions, 49; removals, 70; decrease, 21. State of religion is low; but few conversions."

Are these satisfactory proofs that “ religion is steadily advancing?" Are these

the things that " encourage the hearts of those who love the Redeemer's cause?" Reports were then presented by the delegates from Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Michigan, Canada East, and the Presbyterian Church of the United States. As these reports have not been published we know not what may have been their character, unless from the comment of the venerable Dr. Humphrey, late President of Amberst College, which is too plain to be mistaken. In giving a summary of the whole he said, "Although great harmony and general prosperity seemed to prevail in the churches, yet he thought the state of things was alarming. He had not heard such reports given in for a quarter of a century. The whole number of removals far exceeded the whole number of additions. He thought if the gospel had its full effect there would be far less harmony than there is now. In the 200 churches of Vermont there were only three revivals! In the 240 churches of Connecticut there were reported only eight revivals! In the nearly 400 churches of Massachusetts, only ten revivals! And in other States the number was proportionably small. Every part of the land is consuming with the spiritual drought. Nothing can be so terrible as the withdrawing of the Spirit. No destructive fires in cities, no commercial disasters, no political disturbances, were so much to be deplored as this spiritual death. What shall we do? Are we to sit still? thought if ministers would sound the alarm and blow the trumpet, such mournful reports would never again be presented to this Association."

He

These solemn words were uttered in the midst of the Assembly, no man gainsaying their truth. "The whole number of removals FAR EXCEEDED THE WHOLE NUMBER OF ADDITIONS!" In other words, the total of the members is very much reduced! Is this a proof that "religion is steadily advancing?

But we shall perhaps be told that while it is indubitably thus with the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, it is much otherwise with the great community of the regular American Baptists. Well, let us look at them. That body is, indeed, very great, and its condition alone, to no small extent, is the condition of American Christianity. It numbers 549 associations, 9,561 churches, 5,575 ministers, 1,121 licensed preachers, 765,354 members. In one year it baptized 94,042 persons; and in one year it gained 88,419

clear increase. This community publish fifteen weekly, four semi-monthly, and three monthly religious newspapers, six monthly pamphlets, and one quarterly review. They have under their control, and dependent upon their support, thirteen chartered colleges, three theological seminaries, and a number of minor institutions, where instruction is given to candidates for the sacred ministry. Now Mr. Stow, of Boston, writing to the Baptist Union of England in the spring of the present year, describes the condition of this church, of which he is a minister, in the following terms :-"The revival influences which have for so many years distinguished our American Zion have, to a great extent, subsided, and a general declension has ensued, accompanied by a languor and an inactivity that are truly deplorable. In all departments of Christian action the churches have seemed to be affected by a moral paralysis, that interferes vitally with both their comfort and their usefulness." Is this a proof that "religion is steadily advancing?"

But, perhaps, surrendering this post as untenable, we shall be pointed to the leviathan Methodist Episcopal Church in America, comprising eleven hundred and fifty-seven thousand two hundred and forty-nine members. Let us then follow the index. The True Wesleyan itself thus mournfully testifies on the subject :-"There has been a great falling off in the Methodist Episcopal Church throughout the country the past year. The total decrease (to say nothing of the recent division) is 31,540. The increase of local preachers is but fourteen in the whole Connexion. Last year it was 586. And the total increase last year was over 155,000. Had the increase been the same this year as last, in proportion to the capital, it would have amounted to about 175,000! whereas there is an actual falling off of over 30,000! This makes a difference of more than 200,000 compared with last year. A loss on the capital greater than the whole Methodist Episcopal Church was forty years, from the time the first Methodist preachers commenced in America."

A loss of 31,540! A difference as compared with last year of more than 200,000! Is this a proof that "religion is steadily advancing?" Under these circumstances we now call on every man of reason to ponder the extraordinary affirmation of the Philadelphian Presbytery, viz., "That at no period in the history of the United States has there

been so much in the state of religion to encourage the hearts of those who love the Redeemer's cause." Surely in Philadelphia reason has undergone a mutation, or things have changed their nature, or language has been revolutionized! We have abundant materials to enable us to carry the evidence much further, but this may suffice for general purposes. Leaving the main subject we now proceed to remark upon some special circumstances.

Or

In the Congregational Magazine this strange document is designated "An Authorized Report," &c. Who penned these words? The Presbytery? Mr. Philip? Or the Editor of that journal ? "Authorized!" By whom? By what Union, Convention, Synod, or Assembly? But as if it were not enough to have authority in the front, one of the Presbytery's committee, like a true Parthian, shoots it forth again in the rear! There stands the fourth signature, "Eliakim Phelps, [signed by authority."] "Authority" indeed! Surely the twenty grave, and learned Presbyters of Philadelphia do not in sober earnest mean to say, "We, the Christian millions of America." We would not that such men should be likened to the three tailors of Tooley-street, of deathless fame, who commenced their manifesto with, "We, the people of England." But let us be just to the Presbytery; as our busy brother, Mr. Philip, laid the snare by which these honest men have been taken, so he, too, we have reason to believe, placed them in the ridiculous position, which, in the columns of the Congregational Magazine, they now occupy before the British public. It is he, we doubt not, who denominates this ill-judged letter "An authorized Report," &c. Even his own prefatory note opens thus: "The following letter is an official answer to artiele in the CHRISTIAN WITNESS," &e. Mr. Philip seems, from this note, further to have misled the Presbytery, by talking of our using American documents only," and states that we "would have been glad to have thrown doubts on them, had the paper which first gave them ever qualified them at all." Mr. Philip clearly knew nothing about the subject.

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an

He talks as if we had derived all our information from a single "paper," and not from the embodied periodical literature of all denominations in America. When he said, “I had no idea that my private letter would be answered by a public body," he forgot that one absurdity generally begets another. He adds, "But now

Mr.

that it is so, I owe it to that body to publish their answer." This is intelligible enough; but when, in the next clause, he adds as a reason for publication, "for their appeal is as much to their own country as to our candour," we are utterly lost. We cannot understand him. What does our brother mean? How the unwise letter of these worthy writers to the "Rev. R. Philip, Kingsland, London," is an "appeal" to the churches of the American Continent is to us wholly incomprehensible! We think they will read this with "surprise," at least equal to that which attended the perusal of his former "letter.' From first to last, to use a too gentle term, the whole affair seems to have been conducted under the presiding genius of incongruity. Philip says he "owed it to that body to publish their answer.” Granting this, by simply "publishing" it, without regard to the channel, has he discharged in full his obligation? Was he not also bound to do all in his power to procure for it insertion in the same organ which had given currency to the alleged misrepresentation, that the diffusion of the antidote might be co-extensive with that of the bane? Was it performing all he "owed to his correspondents to carry it to a Journal which could not confer upon it a thirtieth part of that diffusion? Whether the CHRISTIAN WITNESS would have admitted it is not the question. Most assuredly it would not; for to have done so, would, in our judgment, have been very unjust, not to say cruel, to a company of good men who had taken a

false step. We should unquestionably have given them the virtual benefit of after thought, and of an external discretion, and both for their sakes and the truth's sake have withheld it. Still Mr. Philip, however much reason he may have had to suspect this, on his own showing, was bound to make the attempt,

and not till refused insertion in the WITNESS was he justified in presenting the paper to the Congregational Magazine. How our excellent friend, the Editor of that Journal, came to admit, without any explanation or communication with us, a document which went so seriously to impeach our accuracy, and thus to affect the character of the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, is best known to himself. We simply say that no consideration on earth could have induced us so to act towards him. Had the case been reversed, we should have made very short work with the party who offered us the manuscript. This is